Sponsors complain about heavy fines for delaying iqama renewal

RIYADH, 23 April — The Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry has submitted a petition to the Interior Ministry calling attention to the problems faced by businessmen due to the Passports Department’s strict implementation of the penalty regulations. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Sources at the chamber council said increasing number of businessmen were finding it hard to comply with a Passport Department order asking employers to renew residence permits of foreign workers ahead of their expiration.

The department is imposing a fine of SR500 if the renewal request is delayed by a single day and the amount will double if the delay is for a week.

The chamber petition pointed out that circumstances beyond the control of the sponsors had caused the delay in many cases. The Passport Department implemented the new renewal regulations from December last year. The businessmen appealed for a one month’s grace period for renewal of iqamas.

Getting work permits from the labor office, medical examination that normally takes a certain amount of time, sponsor’s traveling needs and other personal problems, the large number of workers in a company requiring a longer period to process the documents, and bureaucratic hurdles were cited as some of the circumstances which cause the delay. Some sponsors also blame difficulties they face in paying the iqama fees at bank counters for the delay.